Word Origin & History

load "that which is laid upon a person or beast, burden," early 13c., from O.E. lad "way, course, carrying," from P.Gmc. *laido (cf. O.H.G. leita, Ger. leite, O.N. leið "way, course"); related to O.E. lædan "to guide" (see lead (v.)). Sense shifted 13c. to supplant words based on lade, to which it is not etymologically connected; original association with "guide" is preserved in lodestone (see lode). Meaning "amount customarily loaded at one time" is from late 14c. Figurative sense of "burden weighing on the mind, heart, or soul" is first attested 1590s. Meaning "amount of work" is from ...1946. Colloquial loads "lots" is attested from c.1600. The verb is from 1495; of firearms from 1620s. To take one's load "drink one's fill" is from 1590s; hence slang loaded "drunk" (1886). In the sense of "rich," loaded is attested from 1910. Phrase take a load off one's feet "sit down, relax" is from 1945. Get a load of "take a look at" is Amer.Eng. colloquial, attested from 1929.